Lithuanians have already visited Cyprus: who will wait for tourists here this summer?

“As soon as it became clear that permits had been granted for flights to Cyprus, the tickets were already in my pocket,” said the tour operator.

Cyprus is probably the country with the strictest quarantine conditions.

Currently, Cypriots are happy that there have been no local cases of coronavirus for a week. All cases are only starters, and that’s only one or two per day. This excellent result has been achieved by introducing particularly stringent quarantine conditions in Cyprus.

Cyprus immediately reacted to the threat, with flights immediately halted and conditions under quarantine for almost three months. Locals said everyone had to be home, and if they had to leave home, they had to write an SMS where they were going and what they were doing. You could only go out once a day and only to one object: you could not, for example, go to the bank and the store at the same time. Also, the curfew was in the afternoon.

So, even during the heat, the Cypriots sat at home for fear of not only getting sick but also receiving fines: the police verified the permits they had, and those who left without permits faced fines of several hundred euros.

“Lithuanian quarantine conditions were especially easy compared to Cypriots,” said U. Armalis.

When you fly to Cyprus, test or not?

The coronavirus test requirement applied to those travelers who planned to travel to Cyprus before June 20.

“My flight was on June 15, so I had to do a virus test. It is true that the initial information about this test was a little contradictory: it was initially stated that it would also be possible to do it in Cyprus, then it was clarified that the test It is conducted on-site only for Cypriots, so it is not surprising that there are travelers at the airport who have not been tested. His trip to Cyprus, like that of the singer Vilija, ended at the Vilnius airport.“U. Armalis said.

According to him, after landing in Cyprus, those who obtained the test results were released from the plane, and the rest were removed separately because both the test and self-isolation were waiting for them. Passengers already tested at the airport were waiting for a temperature control, a preloaded declarations control and mandatory border controls.

Lithuanian quarantine conditions were especially easy compared to Cypriots, said U. Armalis.

According to the tour operator, there is an impression that everything is being done in the country to prevent the virus from entering Cyprus.

Cypriot authorities have now decided not to require foreign tourists arriving in the country to have a certificate confirming that they are not infected with the new coronavirus. It will be limited to verifying COVID-19 for some incoming tourists (around 15%).

Special security, both by taxi and public transport.

“George, a taxi driver from the airport to the hotel, wore a mask during his travels. It is said that in the past the requirements were stricter: now it can transport 6 people, previously it could only transport 3. In addition, the disinfection of the machine was Mandatory. Although he does not “believe” in this virus himself, he follows the rules and waits for returning tourists. They say they had no time to turn around at the time, but now there are almost no orders, “U. Armalis shared the details of the conversation with the taxi driver.

According to him, in Cyprus, public bus drivers also wear masks, where the requirements are even stricter. For example, backpacks should not be carried in the cabin, drivers not only wear masks but also gloves, care must be taken to avoid contact with passengers: tickets must be taken by the passengers themselves, passengers must be kept at distance and masks must be worn throughout the trip.

Strictly maintained and rented vehicles – disinfected after return. This is also done before delivering them to customers.

“So all transport in Cyprus is safe, so tourists traveling on the island can also feel safe,” Armalis shared his opinion.

Even meals change in hotels

Security requirements are also set for hotels – everything is done to make guests feel safe. It all starts with check-in at the hotel, you can register on the phone. It is true that there will be exceptions.

“We understand that not all tourists will be able to register by phone, so we have left the usual registration on the spot.” However, during check-in at the hotel, efforts will be made to avoid contact with guests by making glass barriers and contact with guests will be restricted during check-in.

Meals will also change: guests will be served by hotel staff, who must wear masks and gloves, and distances between tables will be increased. Well, if the hotel is full, meals will be arranged in shifts, “said Andreas, CEO of Nestor Hotel.

According to him, this season he will not see a paper menu in hotels: the electronic menu is already installed, so all meals can be ordered over the phone.

Meals and meals will be provided by the hotel staff.

By the way, fighters against plastic packaging must be depressed; No matter how unfortunate it is, we will return to the disposable plates again. Today, the priority is human security.

What will be on the beaches?

Most of Cyprus’s beaches are state-owned, but even here there are strict procedures that guarantee a safe holiday. Matheos, the caretaker of the Larnaca beach, said there should be a distance of at least 4 meters between the umbrellas and 2 meters between the adjacent loungers. So he and his team check the distances every morning and afternoon. In addition, hammocks are disinfected in the morning and in the afternoon; Disinfection is also mandatory when the tourist gets out of bed.

It is true that tourists can only use hammocks if they bring their own towels. Matheo mentioned that tourists ask why hammocks don’t smell chemical after disinfection, and here they immediately show their pantry. According to him, special odorless disinfectants were selected for the disinfection of umbrellas and hammocks. “After all, you don’t want to rest sniffing drugs, no matter how safe it is,” the beach keeper emphasized.

There are fewer visitors in cafes and restaurants.

Both vacationers and locals are particularly fond of local cafes and bars. All Cypriots consider it a must to visit the cafe in the morning before work and in the evening afterwards. This pleasure had to be abandoned during quarantine, but after quarantine this custom returned again.

Admittedly, with some of those restrictions, although cafe and restaurant visitors don’t have to wear masks, employees must be with them, said Harry, the owner of a cafe in Lefkara city. The number of visitors is also limited: each catering establishment is instructed to reduce the number of tables and specify how many visitors can be in the room at one time.

Despite the difficulties, the cafe owner does not have a smile on his face: they produce excellent traditional Cypriot food, so they believe that customers will definitely return. And now the most important thing is to do everything possible to make visitors feel safe.

Admittedly, clubbers should be a bit disappointed: Indoor club activities are still banned, so clubs currently only operate outdoors and at the same time the number of club visitors is limited.

Club members should be a little disappointed: Indoor club activities are still prohibited

Strict control or fear of losing your job?

Throughout his trip to Cyprus, he was surprised by the idea of ​​forcing the Cypriots to meet all the requirements, says Armal. George, the owner of the Nissia bar, located on one of the most famous beaches in Cyprus, said he receives a visit from the supervisory authorities almost three times a day, from the police, hygiene and tourism. So, want to not want to have to follow all the instructions: check the number of people and request to keep distances, and require employees to wear masks or rubber gloves.

However, the main reason for enforcing all the requirements is not fines, but fear of losing your job. At least this is what Lithuania Lina, who has been working in the tourism business in Cyprus for 8 years, says. One of the biggest penalties for non-compliance with security requirements is the closure of an institution for two months. And shutting down for two months during the tourist season itself is a long-term loss of work and income, so no one really wants to take risks and adhere to all the strict safety requirements.

However, the main reason for enforcing all the requirements is not fines, but fear of losing your job.

“After my trip to Cyprus, I have to admit that everything possible is being done to make locals and tourists feel safe and free, so I can confidently recommend this island as safe to rest,” Armal said. According to him, travel prices will certainly have to change, but what the trends will be will be seen later.